So you've had a big festive season, partaking in all the merriement and fun that comes with the end of the year.

You know the stuff - Christmas ham, chocolate and plenty of booze.

But it's a new year and it's time for a new you - and that means giving up the grog for a while, right? Wrong.

The truth is, giving up alcohol for a month really isn't going to do you that much good after the previous 11 months of living life to its fullest.

Giving up alcohol in the early months of the year is a growing trend worldwide, but there are a few tricks that are just as simple and will have a lot more long-term benefit for your body, Quartz reports.

JUST GIVE UP GROG A FEW DAYS A WEEK

Think about it, if you go dry for one month, you'll only be giving up alcohol for 30 days. But if you can go without for a few days - say Monday to Thursday - each week, you'll be alcohol free for around 150 days each year.

It's a point health boffins have been trying to make for years - so why not make 2014 the year you actually take their advice?

GET SOME EXERCISE - JUST A BIT

A lot of exercise would be better obviously, but we'll just take baby steps.

Aussie researchers at the 'Love your Liver' group recommend you try to 'put together at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days.'

'Moderate exercise' means something that will just slightly elevate your heart rate such as a brisk walk.

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